Why Star Trek Voyager's Flaws Made it Endure

Star Trek Voyager sits in an interesting fulcrum in the Star Trek franchise. Created to take on the mantel of flagship Star Trek show after the phenomenon that was Star Trek: The Next Generation ended it’s run of television, Voyager took the baton to boldly go where where no one had gone before. Yet, anytime Star Trek Voyager is praised, there is always turn… a moment where we have to acknowledge a lot it’s flaws, areas where it’s failed as a show. How can Voyager be this amazing show, a show that people turn to for reassurance and comfort, while simultaneously being deeply flawed. Well, I think that’s because Voyagers flaws are exactly what has helped it endure so long and, even more so, what makes the journeys of a lone starship in the delta quadrant still speak to us today right now, to all of us in quarantine right now, dealing with a hectic world that makes us feel in over our head.

[malykoth]

I think the maquis and the federation crew shouldn't have fully integrated until the end of season one. It would have been more impactful if Chakotay showed up on the bridge in uniform during the season finale.

[capturedsoulsphotos]

"Where Picard demands higher moral accountability, Janeway demands survival. Where Sisko defends and fights, Janeway persists."

You're giving me some Friday feels Captain Jessie. That right there is why Janeway is my captain.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

[KerstinMamma]

The personal stuff at the end really got to me. It reminded me of the saying: "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." Hang in there people, you are not alone. let's stick together.

[russellharrell]

Turns out that the real worst Star Trek ever made was the friends we made along the way.

And by that I mean Star Trek Nemesis.

[melissamenchaca]

I grew up essentially by myself. I felt hated everywhere I go. Voyager came at the perfect time, when I desperately needed a family. Family was EVERYTHING loyalty was everything to the crew of Voyager. And I needed that. Seven was my first massive crush before I even knew that I was bi. So yeah, Voyager is my favorite Star Trek series. Always has been always will be. Flaws and all.

[cloggerh]

One of the reasons I love Voyager is that mental health struggles ARE made visible at several points. We see people struggle with depression, isolation as you mentioned, even suicidality. As a child with a (then) undiagnosed mental health condition, watching Janeway struggle with depression in season 5, watching B'Elanna go numb and start to self-harm, and seeing Neelix attempting suicide were validating in a way the adults in my life simply weren't. These portrayals were FAR from perfect, of course, but they were there. And then I got to see the characters get understanding and support from their crewmates and keep going, keep fighting. I saw them smile again. Voyager has always been a source of hope for me, then and now.

[SmokeyLaBear]

I've been binge watching Voyager over the past month, and the show feels like wrapping yourself in a soft warm blanket.
I'm in my late 30's, and I finally understand why people love Trek so much.

[garyleyh]

Honestly, Voyager was my favorite of all the post TOS shows. It was the characters that did it for me. The stories were not always great, but I cared about the characters.

[InfoFighter]

In the words of my favorite show: "Remember: Your flaws are beautiful!"

[daveryder]

Like Voyager, I feel it could take us 70 years to get back to normal.

[stapler]

I've always maintained that Voyager is the most meme-able Trek show. Its flaws and contrivances and silly moments serve this purpose well, along with the characters having just the right personalities and expressions for some really funny jokes.

Whether it's The Doctor singing, Seven playing big sister to Naomi Wildman, Neelix cooking and showing his weird rubber feet, Janeway glaring ominously at Tuvix, Tom Paris getting covered in spaghetti, Seska's face popping out of random places and saying "hello Chakotay", or Harry Kim and Tuvok disagreeing on whether they are friends or not, there is such an immense wealth of iconic panels to work with.

[magnaknight]

If Janeway concentrated on getting home and not working on their star fleet duties she would have easily turned into Captain Random. By stopping and categorizing nebula or making first contact missions the crew would have gone crazy. Janeway's up and down personality could be contributed to PTSD or extreme guilt. But she among the cast is the only one who exhibit that behavior. Voyager is like eating a home cooked meal it fills you up and satisfies.

[thebitterfig]

One thing that really resonates with me from Voyager is her absolute loyalty to Tuvok. She’s the kind of person who would do literally anything for her friend.

[toddsaskatchewan]

It makes sense in terms of episodes. People rewatching DS9 would be all the eps in a row. Voyager being episodic, it doesn't need to be seen in any kind of order.

[MousePounder]

"This ends right now...Our course is locked in, only my authorization can release it." This is my favorite Janeway scene.

[sonicantz]

Watched your video for voyager, which was good, but your personal reflection of how you’ve been feeling really got me to sit up and take notice. Thanks for being so open about how you’re feeling, so refreshing. Take care

[Althelaw]

Really sorry to hear that you’re having such a hard time I sincerely hope things get better for you

[BellaandBunny]

Powerful. Thank you for sharing your struggles and vulnerability. You know you're not alone, and now so do I.

[SilvinoGonzalezMorales]

I'm a photographer and a visual artist, I fall under the Asperger's umbrella and I've tried to find connection with others through a photographic project (well at least until the depression hit me really hard once again) in which I photograph people trying to establish connections through internet and screens. Maybe you can find it interesting. Thank you so much for share your experience, I'm far from home in a Indigenous Reservation and the quarantine has been an enlightening but challenging experience.

[AdamMerdy]

Hey Jessie,

I know its been a while since I've commented; I've had a lot going on in my own life (including working with an editor on my upcoming book about growing up Autistic which has been greenlit! Yay! :D), but I wanted to comment on this video. Because this video...oh my god this video. More than most you've made recently (and there have been some epic ones!), this one spoke to me. I'm an extroverted introvert - I love my humans, and I need human connection, but humans also exhaust me. So I tend to CHOOSE me time, punctuated with getting to see my friends and loved ones regularly when I want to on my terms. Because of this...I struggled ALOT early on in the pandemic. I felt isolated, and alone. I didn't even see my best friend for two months despite us living in the same city because of COVID worries. We talked every day on the phone, as I did with many of my friends...but it wasn't the same. I live in Canada, and we got a pretty good handle on the virus before long...so thankfully our lockdown didn't last forever and gradually we reopened as it became safe to do so...so my mental health got better. I gave my best friend the biggest hug when I saw him again, standing at the entrance to my building, waiting for me to let him in for a long-awaited coffee hangout. But I know EXACTLY what you're going through...and its fitting that during the worst of that back in March and April? I too took comfort in a rewatch of Star Trek Voyager. It's not a perfect show by FAR...but as you said; in both its flaws and its triumphs, its exactly the show we need right now. It's Star Trek at its most imperfect best, and that's why I've always loved it. I'm sorry you're going through this hard time right now Jessie...and I know its not the same as real human connection (heck, I'm only some random person who comments on your videos and joins your livestreams occasionally)...but I'm happy to do my small part to be part of your online community and give you some kind of human connection. You certainly have done the same for me! Live long and prosper, internet friend! :)